Disclosure/Release of Information to Others
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PROGRAMS AND SERVICES MANUAL
POLICY
DISCLOSURE/RELEASE OF INFORMATION TO OTHERS
Client personal information may be disclosed or released to other parties only under one or more of the following conditions:
1. Client personal information may be disclosed with the explicit informed consent or waiver of the client. When deemed necessary, this consent should be obtained in writing.
2. Client personal information may be shared among employees and/or volunteers of the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) to the extent necessary to render proper and effective services to clients.
3. a) When ACT refers clients to other service agencies, the client's written consent is required before personal/confidential information is shared with personnel of the other agency.
b) When a client is referred to ACT by another agency/service, the client's written consent is also required before personal/confidential information may be shared with that referral source.
4. When a client would benefit from the services of another agency and a referral is made, ACT may with the client's verbal consent, follow-up with that agency to ascertain the outcome of the referral.
5. Management staff may access client personal information as may be required to ensure effective supervision of employees or volunteers.
6. Confidential information may be shared (with or without the individual's consent) in some situations which require immediate action to prevent harm, such as, preventing a harmful criminal activity or assisting a mentally incompetent person who refuses to seek needed medical attention.
7. ACT may disclose personal client information to the extent necessary to defend the agency, its officers, employees or volunteers from any claim or lawsuit instituted against ACT, its officers, employees or volunteers, by or on behalf of a client or the client's heirs, executors or assigns, including any claim brought by a client's insurers.
8. ACT may disclose client personal information where required by law to do so.
9. Upon presentation of a subpoena, required confidential information is provided by the Executive Director/designate to the court. Prior to attending with the required documents, the documents are to be copied and copies retained at ACT. Only required information is to be released. The Executive Director must seek advice of legal counsel.
10. Statistical information or data may be disclosed provided no identifying data also supplied.
